Karim Benzema gave the hosts the lead but the hosts were briefly pegged back by Mikel Rico's equaliser midway through the first half. However, Sergio Ramos's header (34) and Gonzalo Higuaín's 13th league goal of the season (47) put the match out of reach before Benzema struck again and Cristiano Ronaldo took his Liga tally to 21 with a minute left. FC Barcelona can reduce the arrears to three points with victory at city rivals RCD Espanyol on Sunday.

Real Racing Club managed only their third victory of the campaign as Bernardo scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time against Real Zaragoza, who are now five points adrift at the foot of the table. Elsewhere, Real Sociedad de Fútbol versus CA Osasuna, Levante UD against RCD Mallorca and Málaga CF's encounter with Club Atlético de Madrid ended goalless.

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